Union representing volunteer firefighters upset station closed with only three days’ notice

The union representing Beaver Lake volunteer firefighters in Sudbury says volunteers were informed at a “last-minute” meeting July 1 that their station would close July 4.

Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC), which represents the volunteer firefighters, said in a news release Friday that it was “shocking” that volunteers were only given three days’ notice.

“The pending closure of the Beaver Lake station is not new news in Sudbury, as it was originally slated for closure in 2023,” the release said.

“What is shocking is that after city council decided on June 25, 2024, to go through with the closure, the city provided an unreasonable three days’ notice to the volunteers in the station.”

“Outside of any media coverage, the July 1 meeting was the first time we had ever heard anything directly from our own employer that the Beaver Lake station would officially be closed,” Doug Wyszynski, captain of the fire station.

CLAC also said it was upset that it wasn’t told about or invited to the meeting, which was held by Fire Chief Joseph Nicholls and Deputy Jesse Oshell.

“Current volunteers have been serving this community for over 20 years,” Gord O’Coin, CLAC’s regional director for Sudbury, is quoted as saying in the release.

“To be given only three days to pack their items and move out of the station is unreasonable. The limited notice also does not provide volunteers with the opportunity to determine if they would like to transfer to another station.”

Volunteers have been left with many unanswered questions, which the union is seeking to address, the union added.

But in an email to CTV News, a Greater Sudbury spokesperson said the date of the meeting was selected by the volunteers at the station.

City says staff selected meeting date

“The time and date of the meeting with staff at the Beaver Lake fire station were selected and arranged by the Beaver Lake station staff,” Sacha Novack said in an email.

“Fire administration made themselves available at the staff's chosen time to discuss the consolidation and next steps and engage the staff in the transition process.”

“As volunteer firefighters have other full-time employment and personal commitments, it is often on weekends, evenings or holidays when they have the opportunity to participate in events related to the fire service,” Novack added.

In a separate news release, the city said Beaver Lake was being consolidated into the Whitefish volunteer fire station, which is about 15 kilometres away.

“Staff have been consolidated with Whitefish and will serve the Beaver Lake area based out of that location,” the release said.

“Former Beaver Lake volunteer firefighters may have the option to respond from home, using their personal vehicle to respond to an incident. All gear and equipment have been moved from Beaver Lake to the Whitefish station.”

Beaver Lake was not able to recruit the minimum amount of volunteers, the release said, after being given a “one-year target” by city council to given them time to recruit more members.

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“On Tuesday, June 25 … city council defeated a resolution directing staff to leave the Beaver Lake fire station open and expand efforts to recruit and retain volunteers,” the release said.

“Council directed staff to proceed with the consolidation of the Beaver Lake station into the Whitefish station.”